PandemicPreparedness

Cases have been increasing over recent weeks and community resistance continues, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) situation update. At least 41 new confirmed cases and 31 deaths have been reported since the last report on 16 January. Current hotspots include Katwa and Butembo, which combined encompass an urban area home to around a million people.

Activity in Katwa is relatively new and community mistrust persists, impeding response and control efforts. So far in Katwa, more than half of all reported Ebola patients were NOT registered contacts of other cases. This means that many people who have interacted with Ebola patients are not being identified and traced as possible cases. Around 10 percent of them were healthcare workers. Ebola transmission is occurring both in the community and in healthcare facilities in Katwa.

The disease also recently reached Kayina, a health zone in a high security risk area.

The outbreak, now in its sixth month, remains serious and unpredictable. Response activities continue to be challenged by the intense insecurity 'which continues to hinder the implementation of key response activities'. Despite these ongoing challenges, WHO and their partners continue to provide support and stress the importance of prompt identification of suspected cases to avoid spreading the virus. 

Overall, as of 21 January, there were 699 cases from the 18 health zones of North Kivu and Ituri provinces: 650 confirmed and 49 probable cases with 384 deaths among the confirmed cases. The total number of health workers affected to date is 57, with 20 deaths. Over 42,000 contacts have been monitored since the start of the outbreak and about 5,500 are still under follow-up. More than 64,000 individuals have been vaccinated in the affected area.